The Rangers officially acquired right-hander Yovani Gallardo from the Brewers this afternoon in exchange for infielder Luis Sardinas and right-handers Corey Knebel and Marcos Diplan, but they looked into a more high-profile addition before deciding on the trade.

As hinted in late November, Cubs business operations president Crane Kenney announced today at the team’s annual Cubs Convention event that the Wrigley Field bleachers won’t be ready for the start of the 2015 season due to delays in their renovation project.

Cliff Lee managed to avoid surgery after being limited to just 13 starts last season due to a flexor pronator strain, but he’s still a big question mark coming into 2015. The Phillies hope to get a sense on his progress soon.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. said in a radio interview back in December that they’d be better off without Ryan Howard. One month later, they still haven’t found any takers on the trade front.